Your New Construction Home Inspection: An Interview with Bob Van Stry of Can Do Home Inspections

Tell us a little about your company and the services you offer.

Buying a home is one of the most significant decisions and one of the biggest investments you will ever make. A Can Do Home Inspection will give you a clear, unbiased evaluation of a home's condition, answer any questions you may have, and help give you peace of mind. Can Do home inspection is a leader in home inspections in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. If you are in the process of buying a new home, selling a home, or just beginning the home buying process, please feel free to contact us to answer any questions you may have. All Can Do home inspectors are fully trained, certified and E&O insured. When looking for a certified professional home inspector Can Do should be your first call. We have the experience. We have the knowledge. We have been doing Home inspections for over 17 years and getting it right the first time.

What is different about a home inspection for new construction property?

When inspecting a new property that's been recently built, you would hope that the builder would do everything right. Unfortunately that doesn't always happen. When inspecting new construction we are looking for quality of the work done, was it done safely and correctly, did they forget to install something that should be in there. There are several ways to do new construction inspections. You can do inspections that will follow the construction of the house. Or you can do an inspection at the end of the job to make sure was done correctly.
When inspecting an older home we would be looking at the age of different components, water issues, plumbing, electrical, structural, insulation issues, wear and tear, grading, and just all around condition of the house.

When should new construction inspections be done?

Good question. There are two ways to do it. One way is to go and have an inspection done as the house is being built. You could do a foundation inspection, framing inspection, insulation inspection, electrical inspection, drywall inspection, Windows and doors. There's a lot of things you could inspect before the house is completed. The other way is to wait till the house is completed, then inspect the house to see how they did and if they missed anything.

What are some of the most common defects or problems you found in new construction homes in the area?

Usually the defects or problems are minor. A lot of times it could be they forgot to install something or the plumber put a pipe in the wrong place. Sometimes it's the grading with water issues in the basement. Other times it can be doors don't work because they are binding up. Usually these problems will be corrected by the contractor.

What happens if last-minute items haven't been fixed/completed during the inspection?

In the case where something hasn't been completed. We would make a note of it in the report and the attorneys would work that out between each other and the contractor. Sometimes something wasn't finished before I was there for whatever reason, and therefore I would have to come back and do a second inspection if needed.

What advice would you give to people in getting a new construction home inspector?

You would hope that before you decided to buy this house. The town building inspector has looked at it and found to be okay. But just to be on the safe side I would recommend having a home inspector come and check everything out to make sure that the building inspector didn't miss anything and that the contractor didn't change anything after the building inspector has left.

What's the best way for people to contact you and or your company?

The best way to reach me or my company at any time would be to call me direct at 631-467-8900. I will usually answer the phone up until 11 o'clock every night. After 11 o'clock you can leave a message and I will call you in the morning.